Radiator repair

[FJ40Jim at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/10/2002, CTDiesel at aol.com writes:
> Thanks for the advice on what to repair as i had intentions of hoses and tank
> and water pump.  I did thermostat last summer.  I have been wondering deep in
> my mind about replacing the heater core since i know its 15 years old, but I
> was told its a huge job!  8 hours of labor at a shop and the entire dashboard
> has to be pulled out.  Anyone know about the work behind R&R a heater core?
> 88 Quantum Syncro.

First, let me add a "me too" to Huw's post re: replacing the 3 rubber rad mounts.  I would also recommend replacing the cooling fan thermoswitch while it is out of the radiator.
I just did the heater core in my 4KSQ last week. I could do it in an afternoon now, but I spent over a day, because I thought the heater box had to be removed.  Turns out that the AC evaporator box just needs to be dropped on the floor, then the heater core slides out of a trapdoor on the side of the heaterbox.  You will need to discharge & recharge the AC, or simply discard the AC in preparation for the turbo swap ;^)
The core in my car was original, and had been smelling of antifreeze for some years now.  Last winter it actually got so bad that it fogged up the windows, rather than clearing them, so it had to be changed.  I wonder if this was simply a bad core from the factory?  Is this a common failure on T81/85 cars?

Thanks,
Jim Chenoweth
TLC Performance
Lancaster Ohio, USA